I have talked to maybe 4 or 5. Some said the job was too small/outside area. 2 did zoom 30 to 60 min zoom calls. Same 2 came to the house for a follow up look at the space and more extended talk. 1 was a "sales" person that I would never see again. The 2nd group brought the company owner. No charges for any if this and I got a good sense of how they work and what it would be like to work with them.

Estimates are usually free as they are trying to sell their business...make come appointments. Talk to everyone you know-ya never know who has a recommendation to share.

I think an architect is a bwtter choice for additions since they usually are better at the look of the end result. There is nothing worse IMO than an addition that looks like one and often builders just do the job the cheapest way possible not always the best. But I agree use the phone and see who wants to make the effort to at least look at the job.

I would ask each candidate firm about their process for taking your ideas from concept to completion while respecting your budget.

With respect to their design capabilities, you can ask to see a portfolio of their work. Ask if they have draftspersons, designers, architects or some combination on staff and which would be assigned to your project.

Thanks everyone for the tips. Seeking out an architect sounds like the way to go.

Hi, Doug,

If you go the architect route, I suggest you get your remodeler on board as early in the design process as possible. Construction costs have been volatile for nearly two years; it's likely to be difficult to predict the cost to construct your addition based on past projects--at least with any accuracy. Getting real-world cost data to inform the design will reduce the risk of spending a lot on a set of plans for an addition that's outside the intended budget.

With design build firms, how to you get estimates to compare prices? Don't they own the design? Are you engaging them even before you know what the price would be or do they have a two price structure that would allow you to pay for the design and then you own that and can obtain other quotes?

The choice of a design/build firm is generally based on capability and fit--not on price. If you want to choose based on price, then you'll need to go the design-then-bid route. That's a route that architects have promoted for a number of years. The problem with that approach in most markets in the current environment is that the reputable contractors are booked for months; you're not likely to get them to bid on your project.

If you want to choose based mainly on price, you buy existing. You don’t build. Building costs more than buying existing.

"...That's a route that architects have promoted for a number of years. The problem with that approach in most markets in the current environment is that the reputable contractors are booked for months; you're not likely to get them to bid on your project." If this is true how do architects get their projects completed? Do architects retain their own contractors?

You can always find a contractor to bid on a project--but not necessarily one that will deliver the outcome you're looking for. Caveat emptor.

Judging from my remodel in which I had someone expeienced in construction act as my Project Manager as well as my friends' experiences with remodels that utiized either an architect or a designer with lots of experience - YES. Professionals generally have tradespeople and have relationships with GC's.

They are generally more likely to even get the GC out to do a real bid (which takes time and effort) becaue the GC is predisposed to want to work with this person. In my case my designer/project manager had a few jobs going at the same time as I was in the initial stages so I was able to see the quality of his work.

They are also very helpful because they more of a "quantity/wholesale" buyer than a single homeowner. All things being equal - who is the GC going to go the extra mile for or work to resolve inevitable glitches - probably the architect or designer who is going to continue to recommed him to future clients who are not just kicking the bucket but are probably serious - and again the GC knows what to expect from the client. I would often get a "sanity" read and learn what was normal and what was either not normal standards and/or was functionally off. I am sure that my knowledge of what was normal made things easier for me as well since my GC was always gracious when something had to be rectified or to resolve small glitches - probably because I had a lot of favors in the favor bank by not being unreasonable out of paranoia.

We are resorting to the more pricy design build route as we can't get people in to do work. I had initially thought we could act as project managers. We can't get competitive bids, but we can work with them in the design stages to get it workable within our budget. I know it will be more $$, but at least it will most likely happen. I hope.

" ....All things being equal - who is the GC going to go the extra mile for or work to resolve inevitable glitches - probably the architect or designer who is going to continue to recommend him to future clients.... " exactly! Thanks Helen

I've gone through this exact process for about the last year on my own house, also in a large metropolitan city.  As mentioned, there are different routes you can take.  I started with an architect.  When the plans were completed, I then  hired a permit processor to bring it from floor plans to ready to submit to the city, including engineering plans, rain capture, etc. and work with the city to obtain permits.  When we were getting close to having all clearances, I began to interview contractors.  I found that many contractors couldn't bid before that, especially where we are located permits can take several months to issue. 

I'm very hands on and did all the intitial design myself, so that process worked for me.

​I've gone through this exact process for about the last year on my own house, also in a large metropolitan city.  As mentioned, there are different routes you can take.  I started with an architect.  When the plans were completed, I then  hired a permit processor to bring it from floor plans to ready to submit to the city, including engineering plans, rain capture, etc. and work with the city to obtain permits.  When we were getting close to having all clearances, I began to interview contractors.  I found that many contractors couldn't bid before that, especially where we are located permits can take several months to issue.

I'm very hands on and did all the intitial design myself, so that process worked for me.

Update here folks: Well I emailed 5 pros, 1 architect, 3 design build firms and 1 independent designer. I had 2 responses. 1 design build firm and the independent designer are presently being interviewed. Both have a lot of work in my area and are invested in doing a good job/their reputation. More later...:)

Where I live the architects have also got contractors who they use . I think e-mail is not the way to engage any kind of work .It is best to speak to someone IMO. I think a designer would be out of their depth for this job a lot of things are involved in anddition that requires a lot of real knowledge .

The designer has lots of contacts, lots of real knowledge, including an architect, framers etc. He just finished a large three story addition (quirky and cool) in a very tight space in the old part of the city. My little addition is a cake walk comparatively. Design and style is a gift and I am finding that some of the design build companies only want to do one 'look' and are not creative enough to think beyond what they know. I have another design build firm coming today with a bigger portfolio. I will keep you posted.

Update. Our designer cannot take the job on now so we are back to the design build firms. The promising one has contacted two architects and one replied that they are busy and cannot take on more work right now. So, not getting much attention around our little renovation lol